Modular pole sections using pole splice

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for assembling a modular ornamental pole. Pole sections can be joined without visible seams by inserting a pole splice fixedly connected to an interior of a first pole section into an interior of a second pole section and then fixedly connecting the second pole section to the pole splice. The pole splice is preferably a length of pole fixedly attached on its exterior to shims with dimensions closely matching the dimensions of pole section hollow interiors (transverse to a long axis of the pole sections), such that the pole splice contacts the interiors of first and second pole sections in multiple substantially separated locations to thereby prevent lateral movement of the pole sections with respect to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a non-provisional of, and priority is claimed from, U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/454,448, filed on Feb. 3, 2017, titled “Modular Pole Sections Using Pole Splice”, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to utility poles, and more particularly to lighting poles constructed using modular pole segments.

Various types of poles are used to support elevated lighting, of various thickness and contour. There are relatively thin poles (e.g., 4 inches wide) and wide poles (e.g., several feet across); and relatively short poles (e.g., 99 inches tall, including the light) and tall poles (e.g., 20 to 40 or more feet tall). Straight lighting poles are typically made of metal that has been rolled into a cylindrical, conical or pyramidal shape. There are also lighting poles with curved contours. Lighting poles can serve a decorative purpose in addition to their lighting function.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a straight lighting pole 100. A lighting fixture 102 is attached to a unitary pole shaft 104 using a tenon top. A luminaire is mounted on the light fixture.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a utility pole 200 (a power line-supporting pole) with a modular design. As shown in FIG. 2, an example modular utility pole comprises conical or pyramidal sections 202, tapering at their respective tops, that are then stacked and bolted together. The top portion of a lower section 202 is inserted into the hollow bottom portion of the next higher section, and so on. Seams 204 between stacked sections 202 are easily visible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed inventive scope will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a straight lighting pole.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a utility pole with a modular design.

FIG. 3A schematically shows an example of an assembled lighting pole.

FIG. 3B schematically shows an example of a base pole section.

FIG. 3C schematically shows an example of an upper-most pole section.

FIG. 3D schematically shows an example of a pole splice.

FIG. 3E schematically shows an example of a perspective view of a pole splice.

FIG. 4 shows an example process for manufacture of pole sections used to make an assembled lighting pole.

FIG. 5 shows an example process for creating an assembled lighting pole using pole sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments by way of example, and not of limitation. The present application describes inventive scope, and none of the statements below should be taken as limiting the claims generally.

The present application discloses new approaches to design and manufacture of lighting poles that enable easier and lower-cost warehousing, packing, shipping, and assembly and installation of lighting poles, as well as superior appearance.

The disclosed innovations, in various embodiments, provide one or more of at least the following advantages. However, not all of these advantages result from every one of the innovations disclosed, and this list of advantages does not limit the variously claimed inventive scope.

-   Pole shafts used to construct assembled pole can be palletized; -   Enables compact shipping; -   Modules are lighter than assembled poles, enabling easier packing,     unpacking and assembling; -   Enables cheaper deployment and assembly; -   Easy to assemble; -   Enables a seamless appearance; -   Lower cost shipping; -   Individual pole shaft modules are relatively inexpensive; -   Easy to warehouse; -   Enables rabid shipping and deployment without specialized or     large-factor transport; -   Enables assembly using relatively light assembly equipment; and -   Rugged over long-distance shipping, including across poorly-paved     roadways.

Some exemplary parameters will be given to illustrate the relations between these and other parameters. However it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that these values are merely illustrative, and will be modified by scaling of further device generations, and will be further modified to adapt to different materials or architectures if used.

Inexpensive, durable, relatively small and lightweight (due to relatively small size) metal pole sections 302 can be used to form fully assembled poles 300, as further described below with respect to FIGS. 3A through 5. Pole sections 302 are typically made (e.g., by steel shaft vendors) on fabrication equipment known as “roll forming” equipment. The roll forming process takes a flat section of steel and forms it into a round or square tube that is then seam welded to connect the long adjacent edges of the steel section, resulting in a pole shaft 308 which can be used to make a pole section 302.

FIG. 3A schematically shows an example of an assembled lighting pole 300. A lighting pole 300 preferably comprises two or more pole sections 302.

FIG. 3B schematically shows an example of a base pole section 304. As used herein, “pole section” 302 refers to the pole shaft 308 and the other components integrated therein prior to final assembly of multiple pole sections 302 into a lighting pole 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a base pole section 304 comprises a base plate 306, a pole shaft 308, a hand hole 310 (a wiring access port) and a pole splice 316 (also called a “splice assembly”) which is fixedly attached to the pole shaft 308. The base plate 306 is preferably a flat metal plate fixedly attached to the pole shaft 308 of the base pole section 304, e.g., using a circumferential weld on the top and bottom of the base plate 306. The base plate 306 includes multiple anchor bolt holes for anchoring the base pole section 304—and thus the assembled lighting pole 300—to the ground. Typically, the base plate 306 will be used to anchor the lighting pole 300 to a secure foundation, such as a concrete foundation, through which wiring for the assembled pole 300 has been run. Pole shafts 308 of pole sections 302 and of the pole splice 316 are hollow, allowing wiring to be threaded through pole sections 302 and the pole splice 316 to luminaires which will be mounted on the assembled pole 300. The hand hole 310 is essentially a window into the hollow interior of the base pole section 304, and allows access to the wiring in an assembled lighting pole 300.

FIG. 3C schematically shows an example of an upper-most pole section 312. Preferably, an upper-most pole section 312 comprises a tenon top 314 (also called a tenon mount) for attaching one or more mounting structures for light fixtures and corresponding luminaires.

FIG. 3D schematically shows an example of a pole splice 316. The pole splice 316 preferably comprises a splice shaft 318, multiple shims 320 fixedly attached to the splice shaft 318 (preferably at least four), and a bolt hole 322 for attaching the pole splice 316 to a receiving pole section. A “receiving pole section,” as used herein, is a pole section 302 into which the pole splice 316 is inserted, and to which the pole splice 316 is fixedly coupled (preferably using a bolt through the bolt hole 322 and through a matching bolt hole 334 in the receiving pole section, see FIG. 3C), to thereby fixedly couple the receiving pole section to a splicing pole section. A “splicing pole section,” as used herein, is a pole section 302 to which a pole splice 316 is fixedly coupled prior to final assembly of the lighting pole 300. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the splicing pole section is the base pole section 304, and the receiving pole section is the upper-most pole section 312.

The splice shaft 318 is preferably a short length of pole shaft 308 or tubing (short compared to a pole shaft 308 of a pole section 302). The splice shaft 318 is preferably long enough that the pole splice 316 can brace pole sections 302 to which the pole splice 316 is fixedly coupled against movement transverse to a long axis of the coupled pole sections 302. When coupled to pole sections 302, a long axis 324 of the splice shaft 318 is parallel to (and in preferred embodiments, collinear with) a long axis 326 of the coupled pole sections 302; and the long axis 326 of the coupled pole sections 302 should be aligned (collinear) with each other. Herein, “transverse directions” 328 refers to directions transverse to the long axis 326 of pole sections 302 and to the long axis 324 of the pole splice 316 in an assembled lighting pole 300.

A shim 320 preferably comprises a metal plate, with a same shape, in transverse directions 328, as the hollow interior of a pole section 302. The shim 320 is sized to fit snugly within the interior of the pole section 302 in the transverse directions 328. A shim 320 has a hole disposed through it in a direction which is parallel to the long axis 324 of the splice shaft 318 when the shim 320 is fixedly coupled to the splice shaft 318. The hole in the shim 320 is sized so that the splice shaft 318 can be inserted into the hole and fixedly coupled to the shim 320 using, for example, one or more welds.

Pole splices 316 are preferably assembled prior to being fixedly coupled to pole sections 302 (as further described below). Preferably, one pole splice 316 is coupled to a pole section 302. Preferably, a pole splice 316 is fixedly coupled to each pole section 302 that is not the upper-most pole section 312.

As shown in FIG. 3A, in an assembled lighting pole 300, a pole splice 316 is contained within a splicing pole section (here, the base pole section 304) and a receiving pole section (here, the upper-most pole section 312). Preferably, the splicing pole section sits beneath the receiving pole section in an assembled lighting pole 300. A lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316 is preferably fixedly attached to and contained within the splicing pole section when the pole sections 302 are initially fabricated. An upper portion 332 of the pole splice 316 is inserted into the receiving pole section during lighting pole assembly 300, and is preferably fixedly coupled to the receiving pole section using fastening and alignment mechanisms such as screws and bolts (e.g., sex bolts and set screws). As shown in FIG. 3C, preferably, a receiving pole section (here, the upper-most pole section 312) comprises a bolt hole 334 matching the bolt hole 322 in the pole splice 316. A receiving pole section also comprises multiple screw holes 336 for aligning a receiving pole section to a pole splice 316 prior to—and thereby to a splicing pole section—and to mitigation flexion and other relative movement of pole sections 302.

As shown in FIG. 3D, a pole splice 316 preferably comprises at least four shims 320, two disposed on the lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316 so that they will hold the pole splice 316 in place relative to the splicing pole section, and two disposed on the upper portion 332 of the pole splice 316 so that they will hold the pole splice 316 in place relative to the receiving pole section. That is, furthest-apart shims 320 in the lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316 are preferably disposed far apart while remaining within the splicing pole section and coupled to the lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316. Also, furthest-apart shims 320 in the upper portion 332 of the pole splice 316 are preferably disposed far apart while remaining within the receiving pole section and coupled to the upper portion 332 of the pole splice 316. Generally, the farther apart shims 320 on the lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316 are, the better supported the pole splice 316 will be against movement in the transverse directions 328 relative to the splicing pole section. Also, generally, the farther apart shims 320 on the upper portion 332 of the pole splice 316 are, the better supported the pole splice 316 will be against movement in the transverse directions 328 relative to the receiving pole section. Preventing relative movement of the pole sections 302 and pole splice 316 helps to ruggedize the assembled lighting pole 300 against failures in connections between components, e.g., weld failures and screw breakages (and other failures of fastening mechanisms).

The fixed coupling between the pole splice 316 and a pole section 320 preferably comprises welding. For example, the shim 320 on the lower portion 330 of the pole splice 316 that will be nearest to an upper end of a corresponding pole section 302 can be welded to the corresponding pole section 302. (Preferably, welds are disposed to avoid fully sealing pole sections.) Alternatively, a plug weld hole can be drilled in the side of a pole section 302 near a corresponding shim 320; the shim 320 welded to the pole section 302 using the plug weld hole to provide access to the interface between the shim 320 and the pole section 302; the plug weld hole sealed shut, e.g., using a weld; and excess weld covering the plug hole ground smooth.

Preferably, when a pole splice 316 is welded to a corresponding pole section 302 (or other process to fixedly couple is performed), the pole splice 316 is held so that the long axis 324 of the pole splice 316 is parallel to (preferably, collinear with) the long axis 326 of the pole section 302. This helps to ensure that the pole splice will fit into the receiving pole during pole assembly, that screw holes in the receiving pole will align with screw holes in the pole splice, and that the assembled lighting pole will be straight.

Preferably, the pole splice does not affect the exterior cross section of a splicing pole section.

Pole sections are designed to enable them to be palletized, transported and then stacked at their final assembly location. Pole sections can be, for example, 3″, 4″ or 5″ round or square steel poles from approximately 8 feet to 12 feet in height. Assembled lighting poles can be, for example, 16 feet to 30 feet in height. However, pole sections can be small enough for distribution from a regional or local point of purchase to be performed by a small commercial truck rather than an 18 wheel truck. In some embodiments, the cargo bed of a pickup truck (e.g., a customer's work vehicle) can be used to carry pole sections to an installation location.

By using a pole splice, pole sections can be joined together so that the seam 338 between the joined pole sections is very difficult to see. In preferred embodiments, the seam 338 between joined pole sections 302 can be invisible to the untrained and unassisted eye. Set screws can be used to align pole sections 302—preferably, so that their main axes 326 are collinear and their edges are closely aligned—prior to using a sexbolt to rigidly couple the pole sections 302.

FIG. 3E schematically shows an example of a perspective view 340 of a pole splice 316. The splice shaft 318 preferably has external measurements in the transverse dimensions 328 sized to fit within the pole sections 302 to be connected, with room to include shims 320 to fixedly couple the splice shaft 318 to a corresponding pole section 302, and to hold the splice shaft 316 immobile with respect to pole sections 302 coupled together by the pole splice 316. The splice shaft 318 preferably has internal measurements in the transverse dimensions 328 (i.e., the size of the hollow tube inside the splice shaft 318) sized to pass power and other cabling to be used in the lighting (or other application) to be mounted on the assembled lighting pole 300. The walls 342 of the splice shaft 318 are preferably sufficiently thick (of sufficient gauge) to withstand stress in the transverse dimensions 328 which is transmitted by coupled pole sections 302. Such stress may arise, for example, as a result of coupled pole sections 302 flexing or otherwise moving relative to each other due to environmental forces such as wind-related or precipitation-related forces. Shims 320 preferably have a notch 344 (cutout) to make room for the weld seam in the pole shaft 308 of the corresponding splicing pole section.

FIG. 4 shows an example process 400 for manufacture of pole sections 302 used to make an assembled lighting pole 300. Shims 320 and a strip of metal for forming into a splice shaft 318 are cut from sheet metal, the strip of metal is rolled and welded to form the splice shaft 318, and the shims 320 and splice shaft 318 are welded together to form a pole splice 316, in step 402. Strips of metal are cut, rolled and welded to form pole shafts 308 in step 404. A pole splice 316 is inserted into and held at a level within a splicing pole shaft so that a long axis 324 of the pole splice is aligned (parallel, and preferably collinear) with a long axis 326 of the splicing pole shaft; the pole splice 316 and splicing pole shaft are welded together; and a sex bolt hole 322 is drilled in the splice shaft 318 using a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine, in step 406. Using a CNC machine enables screw and sex bolt holes 334, 336 to be drilled into the same place on different splice shafts 318, ensuring that the screw and sex bolt holes 334, 336 on pole sections 302 and pole splices 316 will align. Screw holes for set screws 336 (to ensure that the receiving pole section and splicing pole section are properly aligned prior to installing a sex bolt) and a hole for the sex bolt 334 are drilled in a receiving pole section using a CNC machine, in step 408. Additional features, such as a base plate 306 and hand hole 310, or a tenon top 314, are added depending on the intended function (e.g., base pole section 304 or upper-most pole section 312) of the particular pole section 302, in step 410.

FIG. 5 shows an example process 500 for creating an assembled lighting pole 300 using pole sections 302. Using anchor bolts, a base pole section 304 is attached to a secure foundation through which wiring has been threaded for the lighting to be mounted on the assembled lighting pole 300, in step 502. A receiving pole section (which can be an upper-most pole section 312) is slid down over the pole splice 316 (splice assembly) of the base pole section 304, so that the receiving pole section makes contact with the base pole section 304, in step 504. A sex bolt is inserted through the sex bolt holes 322, 334 in the joint assembly; then set screws are inserted into the set screw holes 336 in the bottom of the receiving pole section and fastened to ensure that the base pole section and the receiving pole section are aligned (their main axes are collinear); then the sex bolt assembly is tightened to securely fasten the receiving pole section to the base pole section 304, in step 506.

If the receiving pole section includes a pole splice 316, an additional pole section can be slid down over the receiving pole section's pole splice (that is, the receiving pole section can also be a splicing pole section), so that the additional pole section 302 makes contact with the receiving pole section (essentially, step 504 repeated). A sex bolt and set screws can then be used as in step 506 to securely fasten the additional pole section 302 to the receiving pole section. Steps 504 and 506 can be repeated in this way to continue adding pole sections 302 as required.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: a modular utility support system, comprising: a connector pole and a receiver pole, the connector and receiver poles each comprising a pole shaft having a hollow interior and with a long axis in an axial direction, directions perpendicular to the axial direction being transverse directions; the connector pole further comprising a pole splice, the pole splice comprising: a pipe section with a long axis parallel to the axial direction, a portion of the pipe section located within and having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, and a remainder of the pipe section having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; and multiple shims fixedly connected to the pipe section, one or more of the shims located on the portion and having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, at least one of the shims on the portion fixedly connected to the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, and one or more of the shims being located outside the pole shaft of the connector pole and having a same size, in the transverse directions, as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; wherein the portion and the remainder are sized in the axial direction to prevent the connector pole and the receiver pole from moving with respect to each other in the transverse directions when the pole splice is inserted into the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; and wherein the remainder is configured to be contained within the receiver pole when the pole splice is inserted into the receiver pole.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: a method for assembling a utility support pole, comprising: a) inserting a pole splice into an interior of a receiving pole, said pole splice extending out of an interior of a splicing pole, said pole splice comprising a pole shaft fixedly coupled to multiple shims, multiple ones of the shims located in the interior of the splicing pole, at least one of the shims fixedly coupled to the interior of the splicing pole, multiple ones of the shims located in the interior of the receiving pole after the inserting, the shims sized to prevent movement of the pole splice lateral to a long axis of the splicing pole or a long axis of the receiving pole, the inserting being performed so that the splicing pole and the receiving pole section meet; and b) fixedly coupling the receiving pole to the pole splice.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: methods and systems for assembling a modular ornamental pole. Pole sections can be joined without visible seams by inserting a pole splice fixedly connected to an interior of a first pole section into an interior of a second pole section and then fixedly connecting the second pole section to the pole splice. The pole splice is preferably a length of pole fixedly attached on its exterior to shims with dimensions closely matching the dimensions of pole section hollow interiors (transverse to a long axis of the pole sections), such that the pole splice contacts the interiors of first and second pole sections in multiple substantially separated locations to thereby prevent lateral movement of the pole sections with respect to each other.

Modifications and Variations

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Particular fabrication methods of the pole splice and pole shaft have been described hereinabove. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arts of manufacturing lighting poles that other methods of fabrication can be used.

In some embodiments, the pole shaft of the base pole section can be a square custom 8 foot shaft made from 7 gauge steel (approximately 3/16 inch thick) that is designed to match a typical exterior profile of a pole made from 11 gauge steel.

In some embodiments, two pole splices are fixedly coupled to a pole section that is then coupled, using the pole splices, to two other pole sections.

In some embodiments, a pole section has no pole splices, and is coupled to one or two pole sections using pole splices fixedly coupled to the other pole section(s).

In some embodiments, methods other than screws can be used to attach a receiving pole section to a pole splice.

In some embodiments, shims can be fixedly connected to a splice shaft otherwise than by using welds.

In some embodiments, larger or smaller pole widths and/or lengths than those described herein can be used. In some embodiments, pole sections can be 10 to 30 feet tall. In some embodiments, assembled poles can be taller or shorter than those described herein (e.g., a multiple of 10 to 30 foot pole section lengths).

In some embodiments, a CNC machine is used to drill plug weld holes in pole shafts to be used as splicing pole sections, so that plug weld holes are drilled in the same location on different pole shafts.

In some embodiments, modular poles with pole splices as described herein can be used for purposes other than to mount luminaires; for example, as flag poles or to mount utilities other than lighting.

In some embodiments, pole splice components are cut and assembled using an automatically controlled jig and a structural DOM (drawn over mandrel) splice; e.g., to assist in meeting tolerances to assure interchangeability of parts and consistency of style and design.

In some embodiments, modular poles as described herein can be used to mount applications other than lighting, such as signaling (e.g., signal lights), communications lines or power lines.

In some embodiments, a pole shaft can be formed by welding a round pole section to a pole splice at, e.g., shims, with o-rings and/or bands fixedly connected to the portion of the pole splice to be held within and bolted to another pole section (pole shaft or other pole section).

In some embodiments, set screw holes are located so that set screws inserted into set screw holes in a receiver pole shaft will push on a shim In some embodiments, set screw holes are located so that set screws inserted into set screw holes in a receiver pole shaft will push on the pole shaft of the pole splice.

In some embodiments, three or more pole sections are used, pairs of pole sections being joined together by a pole splice. In some embodiments, in a single assembled lighting pole, one or more pairs of pole sections is joined together by a pole splice and one or more pairs of pole sections are joined together using other means.

None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and NO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular utility support system, comprising: a connector pole and a receiver pole, the connector and receiver poles each comprising a pole shaft having a hollow interior and with a long axis in an axial direction, directions perpendicular to the axial direction being transverse directions; the connector pole further comprising a pole splice, the pole splice comprising: a pipe section with a long axis parallel to the axial direction, a portion of the pipe section located within and having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, and a remainder of the pipe section having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; and multiple shims fixedly connected to the pipe section, one or more of the shims located on the portion and having a same size in the transverse directions as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, at least one of the shims on the portion fixedly connected to the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole, and one or more of the shims being located outside the pole shaft of the connector pole and having a same size, in the transverse directions, as the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; wherein the portion and the remainder are sized in the axial direction to prevent the connector pole and the receiver pole from moving with respect to each other in the transverse directions when the pole splice is inserted into the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the receiver pole; and wherein the remainder is configured to be contained within the receiver pole when the pole splice is inserted into the receiver pole.
 2. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the pole splice comprises a bolt hole through the remainder, and the receiver pole comprises a bolt hole through a location on the receiver pole configured to correspond to the location of the bolt hole through the remainder when the pole splice is fully inserted into the receiver pole.
 3. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the receiver pole comprises multiple screw holes through a portion of the receiver pole configured to contain the remainder when the pole splice is fully inserted into the receiver pole.
 4. The modular utility support system of claim 3, wherein when the pole splice is fully inserted into the receiver pole, inserting screws into the screw holes and tightening the screws can be used to align the receiver pole with respect to the connector pole.
 5. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the shims are fixedly connected to the pole splice, and the pole splice is fixedly connected to the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole by the fixed connection between at least one of the shims and the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole.
 6. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the fixed connection between the pole splice and the hollow interior of the pole shaft of the connector pole does not alter an exterior cross-section of the pole shaft of the connector pole.
 7. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein said connector pole and said receiver pole are sized to enable them to be palletized.
 8. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein said connector pole and said receiver pole are sized to enable them to be transported by a pickup truck.
 9. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the pole shafts of the connector pole and of the receiver pole are round or square.
 10. The modular utility support system of claim 1, wherein the pole sections of the connector pole and of the receiver pole have the same shape in the transverse directions.
 11. A method for assembling a utility support pole, comprising: a) inserting a pole splice into an interior of a receiving pole, said pole splice extending out of an interior of a splicing pole, said pole splice comprising a pole shaft fixedly coupled to multiple shims, multiple ones of the shims located in the interior of the splicing pole, at least one of the shims fixedly coupled to the interior of the splicing pole, multiple ones of the shims located in the interior of the receiving pole after the inserting, the shims sized to prevent movement of the pole splice lateral to a long axis of the splicing pole or a long axis of the receiving pole, the inserting being performed so that the splicing pole and the receiving pole section meet; and b) fixedly coupling the receiving pole to the pole splice.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fixedly coupling comprises: inserting a bolt through matching holes in the receiving pole and the pole splice; inserting multiple screws into respective set screw holes in the bottom of the receiving pole, and tightening the screws to align the splicing pole and the receiving pole; and tightening the bolt.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising fixedly coupling either the splicing pole or the receiving pole to a platform rigidly coupled to the ground, the platform comprising wires threaded therethrough.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pole shaft, the splicing pole and the receiving pole are hollow, further comprising threading wires through the splicing pole, the pole shaft and the receiving pole.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising repeating the steps a) and b), wherein in the repeating the receiving pole is used as the splicing pole, and an additional pole is used as the receiving pole. 